Category Archives: South Africa

I’ve been thinking a lot about the people that God places in our lives. Back in March 2013, I wrote about growing through godly friendships and about mentoring. I still believe what I wrote and the experiences I shared. Let’s take that further into networking.

I was professionally in commercial radio and as a volunteer in community radio for a number of years. Radio is an industry where you advance through hard work, talent and networking. Although it’s known as a cut-throat industry (since its profit margin is not very big), it’s important to keep connections and to help each other out. You never know who will be your next employer, or what a connection may lead towards. This is the same in many businesses, and in a gentler way, it also is a component in the missionary world.

Tony and I are now in Worcester, South Africa as Iris Ministries Canada missionaries – and among lots of ministry opportunities, one of the things we are planning for is internet radio. We will be airing some of the teachings from this site, including this one, as you can tell!

But how do radio people get established? And how do missionaries get established? Is it just the people we meet through friends and friends of friends? I believe the answer is yes and no. Some of you are saying, “Just ask God.” Yes, people of faith, this is a question we do need to ask. While we plan our steps, God redirects us the way we really need to go. Listen to Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

God often brings people into our lives so that we sharpen each other in faith (Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another). We grow through relationship if we allow others to love, encourage, and at times correct us. Yet in order for that to happen, you have to be connected with them and not alone. We are part of nets (networking) and also man the nets (networking of a different sort). Let’s walk along further with this analogy.

In July 2016, I heard Heidi Baker share many stories in the Iris Global Harvest School (in Pemba, Mozambique). One of them was a dream or an impression that she was given. As a missionary, she often sees the hidden people that ordinary people may overlook. She’s been given the eyes and heart to see them. And nets are a symbol of catching these people’s hearts, like fish in the seas. Too many either fall through the cracks in daily society, or are overlooked – whether they be latch-key kids (one of the demographics on our hearts), widows, orphans, street people, disabled, and so many more. We need nets to catch them and to be in relationship with them.

Heidi saw a net in the coming harvest (revival) and when she shared, she got really excited, because there were many, many fish. She originally assumed this net was of Iris’ impact in the present and future harvest of people.

Then the scene in her dream widened and showed that the Iris net wasn’t that big – it was actually small (despite all the work that Iris is doing). There were many, many nets – these were thrown out by churches, ministries and individuals and these were small nets and they needed more of them. When I was hearing this, I got an impression that there were lots of empty spaces not covered by nets (yet).

I personally believe that not only do we need more nets, but those nets needed to be connected. I’ve had an intermittent pastoral care sense since the 1990s where I notice people who are about to fall through the cracks. I’ve seen this in nearly every place I’ve been. It’s like people have to be intentional that they don’t fall through the nets – which happens when they get isolated from others.

I’ve seen this phenomenon in many places in the world. I’ve even fallen through the safety nets myself – not in terms of my personal faith, but in terms of pastoral care and support. But that’s where Jesus comes in to catch US when we fall through the net.

Jesus is the ultimate networker. We too are called to connect nets and work together in unity. We may have different emphases in our faith, but that doesn’t matter! What matters is our love for Jesus, and his love extended through us to love on the people. The fields are ready and waiting for us. But we must mobilize together.

John 4: 35-36 (NLT) You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe[a] for harvest. 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!

But we need more sowers and harvesters! We need more people working the nets!

Luke 10:2 (NIV) He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

So yes, this teaching is about missions, but it’s so much more. The networking principle works in every aspect of life: work (especially in radio broadcasting), missions, ministry, sales and basically everything that involves people.

Networking involves connections and relationships that have existed in the past, as well as new ones. These people may not initially know each other, but when a networker person comes along to connect these two people, good things can happen! My husband Tony recently shared with a ministry friend about a similar organization in the same Worcester township. While these groups were aware of each other, what was new was the timing that the second organization was open to just the right kind of help. Tony’s natural sharing helped to bring about a connection that our friend had been praying about for years! This was natural networking, but with a supernatural connection.

Tony has also helped connect others to get jobs at just the right time. Just think, how many of you dear people been directed to get a job through a friend of a friend? My job in the financial sector (Canadian Bankers Association in their publications and magazine), came to me through friends who were looking for a good admin temp. My last paying job was as admin and social media coordinator for Darren Canning, a Canadian prophet, author and writer. This came about through connections, and Facebook. Before that job, I was could not get a paying job for three years!

Don’t look down on the connections you have. People are like gold and precious jewels – no matter where they are in the world. This means both the people holding the nets and those who are in the nets for a time. These jewels are grafted in the Body of Christ and after being healed up and discipled, they can man nets as well (in some cases, even take up nets right away)!

Consider the circle of influence you have. It may be at your school, work, friendships and family. It may be a book club, or those you meet in business. Ask God for ways to reach them that aren’t “religious.” Networking and love are all about relationship. Our God is a relational God and wants relationship with you, and with these people. Just think, you may be the one to connect people to each other, just like Tony does. Or you may be one that connects your friend to Jesus. Trust him, and he will show you how.

But if you go out beyond your circle of friends, make sure you do not go out alone. Go with a like-minded person who also has a heart for people. Together, ask God to connect the dots, and connect the nets. This isn’t about you. It’s about working together. So we Copples feel that one of our main tasks in Worcester is to TIE THE NETS (ministries and individuals) TOGETHER. I discovered recently that a YWAM worker friend has the same heart as me – she gives her time and considerable talent to three ministries that we are also involved in, some connected with YWAM, others independent. I felt like she was a real sister, since we have the same heart that reaches out.

We don’t mind where the nets are coming from, what denomination or background. We are working to repair breaches, and sewing the nets together to reach Worcester together. We aren’t copying what each other is doing – we are learning from them, as we eventually find our ministry in the unreached areas between the nets.

Recently, I went to bed thinking about Heidi’s dream of the nets. I thought about John 21: 1-10, where Jesus directed the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat – AFTER a fruitless overnight fishing session. It’s likely that they had an overlooked spot that was hidden in plain sight – just like many of the township or street people are.

I woke up with an impression that I could almost draw. As we cast the nets in the forgotten spots that Jesus shows us – we reel in hearts. We notice them. We validate them and Jesus loves on them directly and through our own hands and hearts. Our hands and hearts are part of the nets.

Jesus and the Nets John 21: 1-10

“Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.[a] This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[b] Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows,[c] have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied. 6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards[d] from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.”

Isn’t it amazing that the nets didn’t tear? I love that this is a supernatural God-thing.

So as you think of this teaching, prayerfully consider that God may put you in just the right place and time to network. We call those divine appointments or stopping for the one. This isn’t just about evangelism, although that is a component. It’s about relationship and connecting hearts – people to people, and people to the Father. May we always remember that we don’t grow in isolation, we grow and are validated in community. We grow in interdependence, not independence.

Posted onJanuary 8, 2018|Comments Off on Happy New Year from the City on a Hill (Hooggelegen Village, Worcester, RSA)

Hi! Happy New Year to you, dear reader.

Tony and I have now been in South Africa for two months. While it’s been very cold in Canada, it’s been hot and dry in the Western Cape – with severe water restrictions in Cape Town. Fortunately, Worcester’s water comes from a reservoir in a higher rainfall area, but the lack of rain is a huge concern to all the local farmers – our own Johan and Marie Fourie (of Iris Western Cape base) included. Please keep them in your prayers.

Tony and I have been settling into our new home in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa. Many New Year’s Days symbolize new beginnings – in our case, that was our moving day into a new neighbourhood of Hooggelegen retirement village in the Langerug neighbourhood of Worcester. It is a community on a hill – so I nickname it the “City on a Hill” – that Jesus mentions in Matthew 4:14: “You are the salt of the earth. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” I was led to book both of our guesthouses in Worcester, as well as our new 2 bedroom home, which we rent for approx. $800 Cdn a month. We can do a lot of ministry and meetings in this home (we pre-pay electricity as needed and needed to furnish the home simply, including a fridge and second-hand furniture).

Our first guesthouse was up in the foothills north of the town, and we gained valuable knowledge from the hosts Ruan and Angelique, as well as buying our car (a 14 year old Mercedes) from Angelique’s aunt. Cars last a long time here in South Africa, so old cars aren’t ‘rust buckets’. All cars are very expensive here, but are also an absolute necessity. Tony is still working through the ownership details with the traffic department – kind of like the local ministry of transportation/police. We are at the roadworthy test stage – which is something the new owner does, rather than the seller, with a private purchase.

Here is a drawing that I did of that unusual thatched-roof guesthouse:

Our second guesthouse (which included a kitchenette) was our base of operations over the Christmas season. We met our hosts well before we moved in. We have connected with a local church that we like (one that is missions focused, and they have simultaneous translation from Afrikaans into English). We met a lot of outreach people where we sit in “translation row,” and were invited to a home group – led by the hosts that would welcome us in central Worcester. This was one of the many confirmations about this local church. Nik and Gisela have become friends and encouragers into our lives, and both are very knowledgeable about South African living, including history and government.

I found our rental home online, while we stayed at the first guesthouse. I tried in vain to find a storefront place where we could both minister and live in. One of the other Iris Western Cape couples lives and ministers in a store front with an apartment – they run a bakery and drop in centre, while they and their children live in the back – but this works for Robertson, not for larger Worcester. I was strongly led towards this little home in a gated retirement village, and thought, this is perfect for us, but how does it work with a ministry to children? We’re still working that out. Meanwhile, we have connected to quite a few ministries that work in several townships, as well as the local Boland hospice, where we go in weekly.

Tony goes into Avian Park on Friday nights with a Nigerian missionary who works with the local children three nights a week – see http://bit.ly/2lZThXW. I am to join him in time. We are also involved with another Avian Park ministry called My Father’s House Worcester, which is connected with the local YWAM and headed up by our friend Jan Buchanan. I am to help them establish a web-presence as soon as we get reliable internet (we are currently using a mobile hotspot with our cellphones and mobile data). They also have an amazing couple called Marco and Rens – Marco used to be a gangster and now reaches out to the local gang JCYs, cares for teens and loves on the neighbourhood through street evangelism ‘Disciple the Streets’ and pastoral care. We are fond of this couple and intend to nurture them as leaders.

We are also waiting on becoming prison volunteers in a large prison outside of town, and have been in contact with the chaplain. Our new church also does prison ministry there, so we may connect with what they have as well – particularly since we are learning Afrikaans and may need additional support due to language issues.

Another ministry we’re connecting to is MasterPeace Academy, led by an American missionary Mella Davis. This is a private school for gifted township children (by scholarship basis). Tony will teach science daily (with a curriculum) and music once a week. I am interested in social studies/geography, but have been advised by my Iris leaders that that’s not a good fit for me at the moment, but that I should stick with art. This school uses a curriculum called “Meet the Masters,” which is completely different from how I was taught art. Please keep us in prayer as we journey through this new venture.

Mella also runs a drop-in the Chip Ross Centre for children/teens, in another neighbourhood called Riverview. This runs on Wednesdays and we may be involved.

The ministry that I feel the strongest pull towards (other than to help our Iris Western Cape family with children, admin and website work), is called Kibbutz El-Shammah. It is like an oasis in the Roodewal township. It was founded in 1993, but has roots that began in the 1980s with local Christian social worker Erena Van De Venter. Erena is like a South African Jackie Pullinger, working with gang members, rehabilitating drug addicts and micro-enterprise in the township. We visited the crèche, environmental programme, sewing centre and the screen printing shop, Boa Boa. I am considering helping with the screen printing shop with spreadsheets, and possibly more. They also run a programme for the young men called Change Makers. Tony and I met them as they were deepening their faith and learning how to be strong, compassionate men of integrity. Here is a picture of us with the current Change Makers group:

The second time we were in the Kibbutz, I was inspired by the place and had a prophetic art impression of the ministry as an oasis in the desert (the region is semi-desert and we are in drought). The Father was impacting the oasis with his deep love, and streams of living water were flowing out of the oasis into the surrounding township. Children were playing in the water and being revived. So I drew what I saw and gave the drawing to Erena. She was greatly encouraged, and showed me the logo of the ministry – it had a very similar theme! I had no idea! I include the drawing, so you can see it for yourself. I plan to do similar drawings with the other ministries as God leads. Here is the drawing that I did for them:

There are more ministries we are learning about – there are three others that we’re finding in our little retirement community – one couple we have met, the others we are still to meet. We feel like we are connecting all the nets of the town together to catch those who would normally fall through the nets. Tony has set up a web page which lists ministries as we encounter them – see http://bit.ly/2lf2Wug. We are finding our own expectations are different from what is unfolding – part of this is sometimes what God brings you to is different from what you imagine. The other part is that we need to be careful to be pulled this way and that by current needs only. We need to do what God has sent us to do. Please keep us in prayer that we will always stay on the right path.

So what we’ve been learning is humility, teachability, being open to constant surprises from God, and to keep our hearts full of love. We can only do that by spending lots of time with Him – for He gives us the compassion, direction, and endless grace that we’ve been experiencing. We’ve also been learning Afrikaans from an amazing disabled couple – Andre is blind (from birth) and deaf (since age 16). He has intricate hearing equipment, so he can hear us. His wife Janey is a trained teacher, and she is deaf without her hearing aids. Together, they help us navigate Afrikaans vocabulary that we need, and we are beginning to learn sentences (prayer help, please!). Prepositions are a challenge to remember and sentence structure is definitely not like English, or even French. But we will learn. They have become very dear friends.

Of note is how we spent Christmas. It was very different having Christmas in the summer, with it’s low key “festive” emphasis. Instead of turkey, mashed potatoes, and all the trimmings, we had delicious home-made cold meats of tongue, corned beef and ham, salads, and trifle. South Africans often spend Christmas season on the beach and at the braai (barbeque). We travelled to Cape Town for Hillsong South Africa’s Christmas “Spectacular” – a wonderful Christmas theatre presentation. Christmas eve brought us low-key acoustic Christmas carols and a guest preacher in our regular church.

For the evening, we travelled to Robertson (not far from the Iris base) to worship in a train, called The Gospel Express. The church’s priest is Lionel, an 87-year old Anglican, who is an amazing story-teller and gives the gospel in every message. To my surprise and delight, the liturgy was so similar to our own, that sometimes I strayed from the book. When I did, I was caught by a slightly different response – but it was okay. We had missed liturgy and the eucharist, so this was a wonderful treat for us. We plan to visit again as we can.

You are welcome to drop me an email at kootenaysprayer@gmail.com or our ministry email laurie-ann@coppleswesterncape.ca. Our website is Coppleswesterncape.ca and we are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Isaiah 43:19 “Look, I am about to do something new, even now it is coming, do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

If you feel called to partner with us in our work, either financially or prayer-wise, please send us an email and we’ll tell you how you can do that. You can even receive our prayer email updates.

May you also be blessed in 2018 – this year of breakthrough…

Blessings to you all, Laurie-Ann Copple
Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa

(WaystoGrowinGod.org and CopplesWesternCape.ca)

Comments Off on Happy New Year from the City on a Hill (Hooggelegen Village, Worcester, RSA)

I was inspired to draw a river-rainbow for Iris Western Cape and Worcester after we had special words spoken over us

Hi everyone! I’m still active in writing, but of a different sort. I plan to return to writing more Ways to Grow in God articles, once I can. The big news (to those who aren’t aware yet), is that Tony and I are going to South Africa for at least three years through Iris Ministries Canada! We will work with latch-key kids in the townships of Worcester, Western Cape – west of the Iris Western Cape base, as well as a whole lot of other things.

We leave Canada November 8th, and arrive in South Africa late November 10th.

During this process, we need to rent out our furnished two bedroom condo apartment – which is close to the Ottawa River and Brittania Park (in Ottawa), and I will need to sell my 2008 Ford Focus the day before we fly out of the country.

We also have a brand new website that you can learn about what we’re doing with Iris Ministries Canada: Copples in Western Cape

You can sign up for email updates on the contact page of that site as well. Please do browse. If you like my articles on waystogrowingod.org, you’ll like these as well.

You can even choose to financially support us! Who doesn’t love loving on such amazing African children?? We need at least $1,000 Canadian per month to start (which supplements some other funds, but we will need more in 2018).

I trust you won’t have too long to wait until another article. And if you’re in the Ottawa, Canada area, you can see us in person!

Our next events include:

Saturday, October 14, 2017 – 7 pm“Coffee, Cake and the Copples – West End” – St Paul’s Anglican Church, 20 Young Rd, Kanata ON K2L 1W1. Worship Leader: Josiah Milnes
-We’ll also have some of Laurie-Ann’s art if you wish to take a piece home! This is a FREE event. The beverages and goodies are on us. However, joining the online prayer team and any free-will donations will be gratefully received. The art is not free, but purchase of any art contributes toward our ministry.

Saturday, October 21, 2017 – 11 am“African Party for the Copples” – Host: Apostle Cornelius Babaloa, Tabernacle House of Prayer. 417 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa ON K1K 1G5. This event will include lunch